Sharjah free zones to support new business initiatives: Saud Al Mazrouei

DUBAI - (15-06-2015):  “Indian businessmen are the smartest in the world, they are aggressive, confident and creative, all of which are critical attributes for the success of any business”, said Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of Hamriyah Free Zone and SAIF Zone  while  speaking at the inaugural session of the 33rd Annual International Conference of ICAI Dubai Chapter.

The two-day event that was inaugurated on Friday featured celebrated speakers from India and the UAE.  

Al Mazrouei promised preferential treatment to chartered accountants in setting up new businesses in the Sharjah free zones and said that the authorities are committed to support Indian businessmen. There are 13,000 companies based on the two free zones in Sharjah and more than 50 percent of these companies are from India or owned by Indians.

Hamriyah Free Zone, the principal sponsor of the event, is set to unveil some key initiatives that will boost the emirate’s business and economy, he further added.

While addressing a gathering of over 1200 attendees, he said, “This year’s theme- “Powering the Business, Leading with Dynamism” rightly reflects the motto that seems to have been adopted by the body in the past 32 years, seeing the wonderful job that you have done here, because successfully managing  a constantly growing organization for the past 3 decades is indeed an extraordinary achievement.”

The event saw India being showcased as an emerging global leader in multiple areas, but most notably in economic growth.

A highlight of the conference was an absorbing debate by the leaders of the accounting profession on some of the most pressing challenges faced by the profession, particularly on the issue of unified accounting standards.  Various speakers noted that the Indian chartered accountants have dominated the profession throughout the world. 

Raju Menon, President of ICAI Dubai chapter, said that the trust enjoyed by chartered accountants in this part of the world was unparalleled and attributed the success of top business houses and entrepreneurs to the dedicated chartered accountants.

The speakers also included DED Deputy Director General Ali Ibrahim; former Indian minister Shashi Tharoor, Kirit Somaya, member of (India’s) parliament,  cricketing legend Anil Kumble and celebrated Indian media personalities such as Rajdeep Sardesai and many others.